Aquilani completes move to Liverpool

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani has completed his move to Liverpool after passing a medical and putting pen to paper on a five-year contract at Anfield.

The Italian international has been signed as a ready made replacement for Xabi Alonso who joined Real Madrid earlier this week in a deal said to be worth £30m.

Liverpool are reported to have paid Roma £20m for Aquilani and the 25-year-old is expected watch his new team-mates play Atletico Madrid tomorrow in the club's final pre-season friendly ahead of the kick-off to the Premier League.

Fears over the player's fitness following ankle surgery which saw him miss most of last season appear to have been allayed after he passed a rigorous medical at Anfield today. But Aquilani could miss the start of the Premier League season as he has missed Liverpool's pre-season training.